Extendible clasp or connecting device for straps, bands, and bracelets



Dec. 27, 1932. CH} KESTENMAN 1,892,060

EXTENDIBLE CLASP QR CONNECTING DEVICE FOR STRAPS, BANDS, AND BRACELETS Filed Aug. 12, 1951 Patented Dec. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFFCE CHARLES H. KESTENMAN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIG-NOR- T KESTE NMAN BROS. MFG. 00., 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CQEPORATEON 0F RHODE ISLAND EXTENDIBLE CLASP OR CONNECTING DEVICE FOP STRAPS, BANDS, AND BRACELETS Application filed August 12, 1931.

This invention relates to improvements in buckles, clasps and like devices for securing the ends of wrist-watch straps, bands, bracelets and similar articles.

One object of the invention is to provide an extendible fastening-device on the strap, band or bracelet which, after the latter has been adjusted to the proper length to lit the wrist, may be released and opened out to allow the strap, band or bracelet to be slipped over the hand without unfastening its ends.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastening-device of the type specified composed of a plurality of foldable members one of which constitutes a means for slidably holding one end of the strap, band or bracelet whereby it may be slid therealong to fur ther expand the length of the bracelet to provide greater convenience in placing it on and removing it from the wrist.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastening-device of the type specified having improved means at its ends for securing the ends of the strap, band or bracelet to the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastening-device of the type specified having detent-means incorporated therein for holding the parts of the clasp in closed relationship to effect a secure joinder between the ends of the strap or bracelet without chance of their becoming accidentally unclasped or detached.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a device of the type specified which is comprised of a minimum number of parts adapted for economical manufacture from sheet-metal, and which may be easily and inexpensively assembled without the use of 'solder screws, rivets or other extraneous parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type specified having a neat and ornamental appearance with its mechanical elements entirely hidden from view, and which is free from unsightly projections or sharp edges on its surfaces liable to scratch or irritate the skin of the wearer.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which de Serial No. 558,516.

scribes apreferred embodiment of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional form of wrist-watch having a two-part strap attached thereto with its ends secured together by the present improved extendible clasping-device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View of the fastening-device showing the parts in clasped relationship;

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating the manner in which the parts are unclasped and three of its members unfolded to extend the length of the bracelet;

Fig. 4- is a side view illustrating the man ner in which an additional member is opened out to further extend the length of the bracelet;

Fig. 5 is a similar side view showing the device fully extended or opened out to permit removal of the band or bracelet from the wrist;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the same; and

Fig. 7 is a composite perspective view of the several members employed for securing one end of the bracelet to the device.

The present improved device comprises, in general, a series of cooperating members which are hingedly connected at their ends to adapt them to be folded into closed relationship, one over the other; or to be opened out into extended position to lengthen the strap, band or bracelet which has its ends connected thereto. The opposite sections of the strap, band or bracelet are pivotally attached to the free ends of the device so that when the parts thereof are folded into overlying relationship the strap, band or bracelet will be drawn tight around the wrist; and when the folding elements are opened out the bracelet will be lengthened to aconsiderable extent to adapt it to slip over the hand of the wearer. The present improvement relates particularly to an additional folding and sliding means which may be operated at will to further extend the fastening-device whereby to provide for greater extension in the length of the bracelet.

Referring to the drawing, 2 designates a conventional type of wrist-watch having bails 3 on its sides to which the ends of the opposite strap-sections 4: and 5 are attached by means of connecters 6. The present improved extendible fastening-device is herein shown as applied to use with a strap or bracelet composed of articulated links, but in other-cases it may be employed with a reticulated fabric or leather strap having an end cross-piece or bar. The term strap is therefore herein em-. ployed in a-generic sense to designate any such'form of band or bracelet.

Themain portion of the clasp comprises three cooperating extension-members, name- 1y, a base-element 7, a. connectingelement 8 and a top-element or cover9. These members maybe constructed of thin sheet-metal plates and curved to conform'to the contour of the wearers wrist. Thebase-member 7 is constituted by a relatively flat plate 10 with side-flanges 11 folded upwardly therefrom. The plate 10 is provided at itsendswith pairs of spaced-ears or tabs which are-bent-around to form loops 12 and 13 for receiving hingepins 14 and 15, respectively, which are used for apurpose as later explained. The sidefianges 11 are cut away at 16 and 17 to provide clearance for other parts later described. Elongated detent-ojpenings 18 punched through the side-flanges -11 cooperate with detent-protuberances on themember 9, to be later'described,to secure the part's'of the clasp in closed or clasped relationship.

The connecting-plate 8, previously mentioned, comprises a strip of sheet-metal having at-one'end a loop or bearing20-by means ofwhichthis member is pivoted onthe hingepin '15 betweentheloops 13-onthe base-member 7. The member Sis narrowed in width to permit it to be folded over the base-member 7 between the upstanding side-flanges 11 thereof. The opposite end .ofthe connecting-member 8 is provided with a slightly wider-loop or bearing 21 adapted to pivoton a pin '25 extending between the sides of the top-member or cover-9.

The top-member or cover 9 isof inverted U-shape in cross-section, having a top-wall 22withside-flanges 23 folded downwardly therefrom. The top-wall 22 is extended-at one end to-provide a curved lip1'9'adapted to serve as a finger grip in opening-the clasp. Its flanges 23 are indented on the outside to form inwardly projecting protuberances or projections 24 of substantially rectangular outline, see Figs. 5 and 6, which are adapted to snap into the detent-openings 18 in the base-member 7 when the parts'are folded into closed or clasped relationship. The hingepin 25 for the connecting member '8 is held in apertures inthe side-flanges23 with :its ends riveted over to retain it inplacc. 'Atthe opposite e'n'd of the top-'In'ei'n'ber 9 is a second hinge-pin 26 which extends through circular holes punched inthe side-flanges23 with its ends riveted over-thereagainst.

is narrowed -111- width to form an extension which is bent around in a ho'ok 32. Thecooperating me1nber comprises a .relatively narrow strip of sheet-metal having one end curledover to form aloop 34 and bent into a hook at its opposite end.

To assemble the connector-link on thecl'a'spmember 19', the members. 29 and 30*are placed between its -side-fianges23 and the 'pin 26 inserted through their loops 31 and 34=-and riveted over against the side-flanges in the manner'a's illustrated in Fig. 6. To secure the section 5 of thebraceletstraptmtheclaspelement '9 its'end cross-bar is placed within the book 35 of the lower connector-member 30, andthe upperconnector-member 29 is engaged .thereover with iltS rhook 32' snapped over the hook35 to'lock thelparts together.

In-most clasping-devices ofthe present type the opposite s'trap sections are connectedrdirectly to the ends of the folding-members withoutprovision for extension inthe-length of the bracelet beyond that allowed by 'the unfolding of the several -Inembers. With such'a form of construction :itis often found that the expansion :in thelength of. the bracelet is insufficient to allowit to be slipped over the handyespecially. in 'thecaseof bracelets intended for usebymen.

Toavoid thisdeficiency the present invention contemplates the use of an additional folding :member lO which is pivoted to the end-of the base-member! and provided with means slidable therealong for attaching the end of the oppositestrap :section in) the clasp; This improved construction-increases theexpa'nsion range'of the device practically two-fold. The member-40 vis-iconstructed of relatively narrow sheet-metal with one 'end bent around. to form a a :loop etlv for pivotally connectingit with the hinge-pin v14, previouslyreferred to as extending through the loops Ben the base-member 7. The oppositeend of the member 40 is provided at its sides with laterally extending projections or lugs 12, see Fig. 7, which serveaas abutments or stops for limiting the sliding movement ofa member therealong.

The memb'er45 consists in aninverted'U- shaped slide having a top-portion 46and depending legs'47.- Circular-holes are punched through the legs 47 to receive a pivot-pin 48 and pivoted on :the-pin 18 are twoconnecter-members 29 and '30 =of the same'construction :as those used for attaching the strap section 5 andpreviously described. The

em ed for securin the end of the stra b section at to the clasp.

Having now described the construction and arrangement of the several parts of the improved clasping-device, its method of operation will next be explained. In applying the bracelet to the wrist the clasp is opened out or extended as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 to provide expansion in the length of the bracelet whereby it may be slipped over the hand. To clasp the bracelet around the wrist the member is first slid along the member to a point adjacent the pivot-pin let. The extension-member 4-0 is then folded over the base-member 7 in the manner as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The two members 8 and 9 are next folded over the extension-member as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and the top-member or cover 9 is finally pressed downwardly until its detentprotuberances 24 snap into the detent-openings 18 in the sides of the basemember 7.

The sections t and 5 of the bracelet will thus be drawn tightly around the wrist and the parts of the device securely clasped together in folded relationship to prevent unwarranted or accidental unfastening thereof. It will he noted by reference to Figs. 1 and 2 that the side-flanges 23 of the topmember 9 overlie the side-flanges 11 of the base-member 7 so that the mechanical parts of the device are entirely concealed from view.

hen it desired to remove the bracelet from the wrist, the device is unclasped by inerting the finger-nail under the lip or extension 19 on the cover 9 and lifting the latter upwardly to free its protuberances 24 from the openings 18 in the base-member 7. The cover 9, together with the connecting-member 8, are swung outwardly on their pivots 15 and 25 in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 3. When the parts are opened in end-to-end relationship as illustrated in Figs. e, 5 and 6 the bracelet is expanded in length to a considerable extent and to provide additional expansion the member 40 is swung back on its pivot 14 as shown in Fig. l. This latter expansion is accomplished by raising the member 40 to cause the member -15 to slide outwardly therealong until it brings up against the abut-ments 42, see Figs. 5 and 6. This latter extension of the clasp expands the bracelet to the maximum extent so that it may be conveniently slipped over the hand in placing it on or removing it from the wrist.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides an improved clasping-device having a maximum capacity of extension for the purposes specified. The various parts of the clasp be stamped from sheet-metal to render them light in weight and economical to manufacture, yet

in their assembled relationship they provide a strong durable construction. When in closed or clasped relationship the mechanical elements of the device are concealed by the cover 9 which may be suitably embossed, engraved or otherwise embellished on its outer face to enhance the artistic apearance of the whole article.

A particular feature of improvement in the present invention consists in the additional expansion means which enables the wearer to extend the bracelet to a very considerably length to provide greater convenience in applying it to the wrist or removing it therefrom.

The elongated detent-means for clasping the members in closed relationship provide adequate engaging surfaces to effect a positive and secure clasping of the parts.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred form of construction of the improved clasp, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, withoutlimiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a basememher, an extensionmeinber hinged to one end of the base-member to adapt it to fold against the latter, a slide on said extension-member slid-able between its hinge and free end, means for connecting the slide to the end of a bracelet, a second extension-member hinged to the opposite end of the base-member, a top-member hinged to the outer end of the second eatension-member, and means for connecting the top-member to the opposite end of the bracelet.

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-n ember, extensionmemhers hinged to the opposite ends of said base-member to adapt them to fold into overlying relationship therewith, a cover-member hinged to the free end of one of said extension-members, a slide slidable longitudinally of the other extension-member and constructed to adapt it to move toward the hinge of said extension-member when the latter is folded into overlying relationship with the base-member, means for connecting the slide to one end of a bracelet, and means for connecting the cover-member to the opposite end of the bracelet.

3. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member, an extension member hinged to one end of the base-member, a top-member hinged to said extensionmember and provided with means for connecting it to the end of a bracelet, a second extension-member hinged to the opposite end of the base-member and provided with a. stop at its free end, and a slide slidable on the second extension-member between its hinge and stop and having means for connecting it to the opposite end of the bracelet.

l. Ina device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member, extensionmembers hinged to the opposite ends of said base-member to adapt them to be folded into overlying relation therewith, a slide slidable longitudinally of one of said eXtensionn1embers, means for connecting the slide to the end of a strap or bracelet, a cover-member hinged to the end of the opposite extensionmember to adapt it to fold over the top of the base-member when the extension-members are folded into overlying relation there- With, means for clasping the cover-member in folded position on the base-member, and means for connecting the opposite end of the strap or bracelet to the free end of the covermember.

5. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member having a bottom and side walls, extension-members hinged to the opposite ends of said base-mem her to adapt them to be folded into nested relationship within its side walls, a slide slidable longitudinally on one oil said extensionmembers, means to limit the sliding movement of said slide, means for attaching the end of a strap or bracelet to the slide, a covermember hinged to the opposite extensionmember and formed with a top and side Walls adapted to overlap the side walls of the basemember When the parts are folded into overlying relationship, and means for attaching the opposite end of the strap or bracelet to the cover-member.

6. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a base-member, an extensionmember hinged to each end of the base-member, a cover-member hinged to the outer end of one of said extension-members to adapt it to fold into overlying relationship with the base-member, one of said extension-members being foldable against the base-member beneath the opposite extension-member, a slide slidable longitudinally of said extension-member to adapt it to slide outwardly thereon -When said extension-member is opened into extended position and to slide inwardlyv toward the hinge of said member when the latter is closed against the basemember, means for connecting the slide to the end of a strap or bracelet, and means for connectingthe opposite. end of the strap or bracelet to the free end of the cover-member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature.

CHARLES H. KESTENMAN. 

